Monday, December 10, 2007

The Pi X Bonneville racer edition

Slow and very, very expensive - the Pi X Bonneville racer edition

A 30bhp motorcycle that costs US$39,000?!? Er…, that would be the Electrobike Pi X Bonneville racer edition – a hybrid that’s powered by a 48V electric motor combined with a 50cc, four-stroke petrol engine. The Pi X’s 48V, 100amp NiMH battery pack makes for about 45km of riding on pure electric power, while the tiny petrol engine will let you ride for another 400km, using just 4.5 litres of fuel in the process.

Made in the US, the Pi X Bonneville racer edition is a high-tech piece of kit – the bike is fitted with a seamless monocoque chassis made of high-grade aluminium, wheels are cast magnesium units from Marchesini and HID lamps are on the options list. The only potential sticking point may be the top speed, which is about 45km/h. Those Sunday morning rides with your GSX-R riding mates may not work out…

Only five units of the Pi X Bonneville racer edition will ever be built, though for a mere US$17,500 you could buy the Pi X Bonneville Commemorative, twenty-five of which will be sold. Visit the Electrobike website here for more details.